Date: 03/05/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1059

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 09-1059 to the Committee of the WPASS



07:09 PM -- House Bill 09-1059

Senator Carroll introduced House Bill 09-1059. The bill concerns health care coverage for individuals who are participating in clinical trials. She stated that the bill will put everybody on the same page regarding whether a person participating in a clinical trial is covered by health insurance for the routine care they otherwise would have received if they weren't participating in the trial. She responded to Senator Schultheis regarding the cost of participating in clinical trials and whether the cost is covered by the trial sponsor. Senator Newell commented on the bill's requirement that a doctor sign off on a patient's participation in a clinical trial. Senator Carroll responded to questions from Senator Lundberg regarding whether the bill's provisions had been adopted in other states, noting that the bill's provisions were based on federal legislation.

07:17 PM -- Carol Sjerven, representing the Oncology Nursing Society and Veeda Oncology, described the process of enrolling a patient in a clinical trial. She stated that patients have declined to participate in clinical trials due to their fear that insurance won't cover some expenses. She described her experience seeking standard of care treatment on behalf of patients who were also enrolled in clinical trials. She stated that the bill does not require health insurers to cover anything investigational and merely ensures that the patient would receive the services that they would be entitled to if they were not participating in the trial.

07:25 PM -- Dana Dzwonkowski, representing the American Cancer Society and Cancer Action Network, responded to Senator Lundberg's questions regarding other states that have similar laws.

07:25 PM -- Jacquelyn Kilmer, representing Colorado Organizations Responding to Aids and the Colorado Aids Project, testified in support of the bill.

07:26 PM -- Elizabeth Nugent, representing Kaiser Permanente, testified in support of the bill.

07:26 PM -- Paul Wisor, representing the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center, testified in support of the bill

07:26 PM -- Dr. Rafael Veintimilla, representing Kaiser Permanente, testified in support of the bill.

07:27 PM -- Jerry McElroy, representing Kaiser Permanente, testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from Senator Lundberg regarding the bill's effect on Kaiser Permanente and other insurance companies. Senator Carroll and Senator Lundberg discussed the fiscal note of the bill. Mr. Wisor discussed whether or not there would be an increase in costs to insurance companies for providing the care. He stated that some studies have found that costs increased, while others have found cost savings. He further responded to questions from Senator Lundberg regarding the potential cost of the bill's provisions for insurance companies, stating that a study in Maryland showed that there were no increased costs. Mr. Wisor, Dr. Veintimilla, and Ms. Dzwonkowski discussed the number of patients that could be affected by the bill. Ms. Nugent responded to committee questions regarding whether Kaiser Permanente has experienced an increase in costs as a result of their program to allow patients to participate in clinical trials.


07:37 PM

Senator Carroll gave concluding remarks regarding the bill. She testified that the insurance industry has reviewed the bill. She stated that the bill is important for research.
BILL:HB09-1059
TIME: 07:38:40 PM
MOVED:Carroll M.
MOTION:Refer House Bill 09-1059 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 5-2 roll call vote, with one member excused.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Carroll M.
Yes
Lundberg
No
Mitchell
Excused
Morse
Yes
Newell
Yes
Schultheis
No
Tochtrop
Yes
Boyd
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 2 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



07:41 PM

The committee recessed.